The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-08-03
A Presbytery Pazzled.

y
mountains of Virginia. A part Of it
was once published, ! think. Up on
the heights in the Old Dominion where
the houses are few and many of the
mountaineer know little of the settle
ments below, man of God lived who
took to preaching the gospel in his
own crude way. He was man Of
strong character and clear common
sense. He could just read the Bible
that was all-but he got at the heart of
things, as his ministry showed, and
drew near to his Master. He was q
very plain preacher-a most careless
and unguarded man. He told the peO-
pie the truth without any apologies,
with all kindness and tenderness of
heart. Many were turned from sin
unto Righteousness, and the Presbyte-
ry in whose bounds his work was de-
termined to Ordain him, simply on the
ground of his efficiency and clear call
| to the ministry, though he had no ed
ucation. He objected. They persist
ed. Finally the day was appointed,
and large company from the noun
tains and the valleys below gathered
to witness the examination for licens-
ling and ordination Of this strange
character. All knew that there would
be something entertaining in his an
swers. The Presbytery assembled,
the congregation looking on. John
Leland took his place in front, drop.
ping his head into his hands. The
moderator simply stated the object of
the meeting, addressing Mr.. Leland.
The latter looked up, and said:
"Mr. Moderator, I'll tell you all l
know. 1t won't take long," and down
his head went into his hands again.
A smile went around the assembly.
| Moderator-"Mr.L Leland, do you be-
lieve that God had a people, chosen
and elect, before the foundations of
the world?"
Leland-"I don't know what God
was doin' before He male the world.
Don't know anything about it. Iain't
a educated man"
Moderator-"Yes, but you must un-
derstand me. You certainly believe
from all eternity"
Leland-"No, don't believe that.
They couldn't a'been our kind o. folks,
anyway because ours are made out of
the dust of the earth, you know"
| Moderator-"Mr. Leland, we have
heard of your Christian life, of your
deficiency and your success, and we
are met to ordain you to the ministry
of the gospel. This is a solemn occa-
sion, and you must not make light Of
the questions. Now, want to know
it you believe in the total depravity of
mankind ~
Leland--"No, don't, if you mean
by that that men are as bad as they
can be-for the devil amt any worse'n
that, you know"
Moderator-"Doy you believe in i'm
puted Righteousness, and that it is suf-
ficient to save oil who have faith?"
| Leland--"I don't know any right
eousness that will save a man who
won't do right himself"
Moderator-"Do you believe in the
final perseverance of the saints?"
Leland--"I don't knoW what that
MEANS"
Moderator-"Well, you believe that
all who are converted will be kept,
and not fall away"
Leland--"Oh! I don't know how't
is In the settlements, among the edu-
Gated. but I tell you up where we live
We have the awfulest cases of back
sliding"
Moderator-"But, Mr.. Leland, you
certainly believe that when man is
converted he will he kept in some way,
and finally saved ?'' ,
Leland-"I can't tell much about
that till I am saved myself. Don't
know anything about 1t now.'
Moderator--"You feel that you are
called to preach the gospel ~
Leland--"No, I never heard any
one call me-"
Moderator--"We.do not mean that
you heard voice--anything said
but that you are called"
Leland -"Well, Mr.. Moderator, if
there wasn't any voice, or anything
said, don't know how there could be a
call. Never heard any"
Moderator-"You believe it is your
duty to preach the gospel to all crea-
lures I"
Leland-"No. don't believe it my
duty to preach to the Dutch, for in
stance. l can't talk Dutch. If the
Lord wanted me to preach TO them, in
some way I could talk Dutch; but l
can't, 1 never tried"
Moderator -"Mr. Leland, you GER
tainly desire to see all men come to re-
pentance, and turn to Righteousness.
Your acts show that. We have heard
of your self-sacriicing spirit, your love
for mankind, and all your good works
to win sinners to the gospel and repen-
tance." 90,
Leland-"Mr. Moderator, I'll tell
YOU the honest truth. am little
ashamed of it, but it is Gods truth
lust as tell you. Some days do feel
that way, and then again some of
them act so bad I don't care if the
devil gets half of them"
After the Presbytery had retired to
take counsel over the matter, they re-
turned and announced that while his
answers had not been entirely satisfac-
tory in every respect, nevertheless, in
view of his efficiency in preaching,
they had voted to ordain him, which
they proceeded to do in the usual man
ner. After ii was over, Mr.. Leland
lifted his head out of his hands,
Strengthened himself up, and stood
his full height; looking first at the
Moderator and then all round him, he
said:
"Brethren, I've put you to heap o.
trouble. don't know anything about
your doctrines, M told you L didn't.
I've been doin' the best could preach
i'm the gospel as found it in the BIZ
bic. Now, you see, don't know any
thing else. Another thing, when the
apostleS put their hands on mans
head, read that the man had some
power or some sense or some knowl-
/ 60 p,tf